Novel Ships
Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Valor had thrown in the towel, but there was actually still a glimmer of hope for him. But Gwendolyn couldn’t tell him the truth, and all she could offer was. “Let’s just wait till Mr. Chadwick’s legs are better.”
Valor nodded, saying, “You’re going to introduce me to Dr. Waldo, right? He said he’s focusing on treating Howard’s legs and not seeing other patients.”
Gwendolyn, with a reluctant nod, acknowledged.
Howard caught a glimpse of their covert conversation and pushed Valor’s head away with a hand, “Mr. Peterson, you should keep your distance from a married woman.”
Valor grumbled, “What’s the point of her keeping distance from two impotent men?”
Gwendolyn instinctively checked Howard’s expression and stammered, “Mr. Peterson, you and him are not the same.”
“I know your pain,” Valor sighed. Poor Gwendolyn had to protect her husband’s reputation in public.
Jeannie saw his forlorn face and couldn’t help but chuckle. Valor shot her a glare.
“Gwendolyn, did you see the auction for the charm bracelet?” Jeannie tugged at her sleeve. “This jade bracelet with floating blossoms is previous!”
This bracelet, brimming with luster, had green hues like trout swimming in water. The more blossoms, the pricier it got, and this one had three.
The starting bid was half a million.
“That country bumpkin wouldn’t know that!!” sneered Vivien from a neighboring table. “Has she even seen a jade before? Can she tell the difference between crystal and jade?”
“Bainbridge, I want it,” Vivien cooed disingenuously.
Bainbridge, kissing her, said, “It’s yours.” He then raised his bidder card. “One million.”
“Mr. Bainbridge is feeling generous!”
“Throwing a fortune for his lady, Vivien’s one lucky girl!”
Vivien smirked triumphantly at Gwendolyn, “Would your husband spend that much on you? I doubt it.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Gwendolyn licked her dry lips, her expression somewhat odd. Howard, with an imperceptible smile beneath his thin lips, encircled her wrist.
“One million going once!”
“One million going twice!”
“One million sold! Congratulations to Mr. Bainbridge for the exquisite floating blossom jade bracelet!” the auctioneer declared definitively.
The staff quickly brought the bracelet over and Bainbridge paid with a card swipe. Vivien, eager to show off, slipped on the bracelet, “Gwendolyn, let me show you what a fine jade looks like.”
She extended her fair arm.
Howard Chadwick rolled up Gwendolyn’s sleeve, revealing an even finer floating blossom bracelet, with richer color and denser blossoms.
He said to Bainbridge and Vivien, “What a coincidence! We also have a floating blossom jade bracelet.”
“This is the real deal, the premium floating blossom bracelet!”
“Who would have thought the country girl had such a treasure? With rare six blossoms, this bracelet is practically priceless. It starts at five million!”
The crowd craned their necks, and the murmur of voices raced through Gwendolyn’s heart.
What? Five million!
That was the trinket Roselind had casually given her on her first day.
Howard chuckled, his voice deep and melodious. “With a comparison, my wife’s bracelet and her hand are even more beautiful.”
Vivien and Bainbridge’s faces fell, thoroughly uncomfortable.
“One, two… six blossoms!” Jeannie exclaimed, “Six blossoms! Gwendolyn is so modest. Not. like some people who fuss over inferior goods, not knowing their place.”
“You…” Vivien was humiliated, outshone by a country girl.
Valor added fuel to the
a narrow–minded man!”
from behind, “Vivien, you’ve been outclassed! Mr. Bainbridge is such.